Eureka USD 389 Received
$
76,571 Community Donation
A generous donation of $76,571 from a former Eureka resident, Phillip James Husser, was shared with the Eureka USD 389 Board of Education during its routine monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 14.
The district has already deposited the donated funds into its donation fund. Prior to the meeting, EHS Band Director Steve Knapp shared a need for additional musical instruments, particularly drums, for students who do not have access to their own instruments. The estimated cost for the instruments is approximately $9,400.
Superintendent Shay Demlow recommended moving forward with the purchase, noting the importance of having instruments available for students participating in band. The board unanimously approved the instrument purchase, using the donated funds. The district will retain the remaining donation in its donation fund and use it for needs at a later time.
Husser also noted funds to Madison/Virgil USD 386 and Hamilton USD 390.
Following a proposal being shared by Superintendent Demlow, the board approved to increase the daily substitute teacher rate to $115/day (an increase of $5/day). The increase is intended to remain competitive with surrounding school districts.
Marshall Elementary Title teachers Cammie Hoover and Faith Rucker presented an update on the district’s title program, including interventions, testing and programs designed around individual student needs.
Programs and activities discussed included: Breakfast Club, After School Program TEAM, Read with Me Program, Family Nights, Summer learning packets, Summer School, Aimsweb testing and Parent phone calls and family engagement. The presentation included seven years of Aimsweb benchmark data in reading and math for each grade level. The board also reviewed intervention and curriculum strategies that have contributed to student progress.
The board received a resignation from Kassidy Turner, who had been hired (as a paraprofessional) on Aug. 17 and verbally resigned Aug. 19. The board also approved the following employments and transfers: Kennedy Mead, Marshall paraprofessional; Michelle Gulick, EJSHS paraprofessional; Alvina Turner, High school cook; Peggy Vance, transferred from Food Service to EJSHS paraprofessional; and Heather Ostrander, transferred from elementary paraprofessional to high school paraprofessional.
Marshall Elementary Principal Stacy Coulter, Eureka/Junior Senior High School (EJSHS) Principal Angie Lowe and Superintendent Demlow provided reports.
The board approved the adoption of the 2026-27 budget and approved the Local Option Budget (LOB) resolution, as presented.
Eureka USD 389 Board of Education will hold its next board meeting on Monday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m., at the District Office.
